MONTANA AUDUBON BIRD FESTIVAL - June 8-10, 2018 Red Lion Hotel Kalispell, Montana
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19th ANNUAL
MONTANA AUDUBON
BIRD FESTIVAL
June 8–10, 2018
Red Lion Hotel
Kalispell, Montana
Bob Martinka
Chris Berry
Kintla Lake in
Glacier National Park
Above: Common Loon
welcome keynote speaker
We’re delighted to bring Montana Audubon’s 19th Annual Wings
Across the Big Sky Festival to northwest Montana this year!
Our longstanding community event is co-hosted by the Flathead
Audubon Society and scheduled for Kalispell, June 8–10, 2018.
Registration will open at 1:00 pm, so plan to sign in and enjoy a Stuart D. Strahl,
special presentation Friday afternoon, followed by a dinner buffet Ph.D.
With 35 years
and our keynote presentation in the evening.
of background
in national and
Amazing birding field trips are scheduled around the Glacier-
Flathead region over the weekend in addition to timely bird
conservation presentations. A variety of informational tables and international programs,
festivities will be on hand as we celebrate efforts to conserve Dr. Stuart Strahl is a
career conservationist with
our birds and wildlife in Montana. Take a minute to review this
deep experience in applied science,
brochure for information on our Festival headquarters, speakers,
restoration ecology, public policy and not-for-profit
and fantastic birding field trips to help you decide how to spend
management. He serves as president and CEO of the
your bird festival weekend in and around Kalispell.
Chicago Zoological Society (CZS), which operates the
world-famous Brookfield Zoo – the most popular paid
cultural attraction in the Midwest, serving 2.3 million
guests annually. Dr. Strahl oversees a staff of 430 full-
Overview
FRIDAY time, 1,200 part-time and seasonal employees, and a
corps of 800 volunteers, all of whom who engage in
1:00 p.m. Registration Begins
numerous local, regional and international conservation,
Vendor & Sponsor areas open
education and animal welfare initiatives.
4:00 p.m. Professor Avian Guano – Denny Olson
5:00 p.m. Mexican Dinner Buffet
Stuart has a long history with Audubon. His first
6:15 p.m Festival Kickoff
charitable gift was made to National Audubon Society in
7:00 p.m. Keynote Speaker – Dr. Stuart Strahl
SATURDAY MORNING 1970, his first paid job in conservation was as a “kitchen
boy” at the Audubon Camp of Maine in 1975, and he
5–8 a.m. Breakfast with field trip leaders; Leave on field trips
has been a Life Member of Audubon since high-school.
In addition, he has served as an Audubon Chapter leader
SATURDAY AFTERNOON
in three States and while in Venezuela. His family
1:30 Afternoon Speaker Sessions
donated their farm on the Eastern Shore of Maryland to
the Chesapeake Audubon Society to form Pickering
SATURDAY EVENING
5:30 p.m. Banquet, Dessert Auction, Awards
Creek Audubon Center, where he continues to serve as
a Board member. Prior to arriving at CZS, Stuart served
SUNDAY MORNING
as Vice President/Florida State Director of the National
5-8 a.m. Breakfast with field trip leaders; Leave on field trips
Audubon Society and foundation President/CEO of
Audubon Florida. From 1996–2003 he led the
Festival headquarters and lodging
organization into prominence as the acknowledged
private-sector leader in the largest ecological restoration
Red Lion Hotel Kalispell is a mountain lodge located in Montana’s
initiative in history, the Comprehensive Everglades
favorite ski town! Conveniently attached to the Kalispell Center
Restoration Plan.
Mall in the heart of the Flathead Valley, Red Lion Hotel Kalispell
serves as the central location for northwest Montana discovery.
Fluent in Spanish, Stuart began his career as a field
biologist and later as founding Director of Latin
The hotel is easily accessible to nearby restaurants and shopping as
American Programs for the Wildlife Conservation
well as Glacier National Park. Guests will enjoy breathtaking views
of Big Sky Country like never before: wake to spectacular vistas of
Society during the 1980s and early 1990s. He is
the Montana landscape, a hot breakfast, and premium amenities
dedicated to transforming conservation into mainstream
including 24-hour dining at Café2Go, 15,807 square feet of meeting
public and economic issues, bringing together diverse
and event space in Kalispell, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and our
constituencies around solutions to complex issues and
newly renovated solarium with indoor swimming pool and sauna.
creating careers for young professionals in conservation.
The address is: 20 North Main Street, just north of historic
He has worked extensively to develop lasting
downtown Kalispell.
partnerships in the U.S. and Latin America, resulting in
preservation of millions of acres of wildlife habitat and
Rooms are available for $99 per night. Please call 406.751.5050 and
billions of dollars in conservation funding.
mention Montana Audubon to receive this special discounted rate.
We recommend that you book early, particularly if you expect to
arrive early or stay beyond the duration of the festival. The Red Lion
will honor the pricing as long as rooms are available.
2
Friday afternoon presentation
Denny Olson’s formal training as a biologist and drama, and
and geologist, as well as teaching nature for established
Professor Avian Guano’s “Oddball
over 20 years in the north woods and a national
Bird Stories from NW Montana”
Why do Dippers dip, Gray Jays travel in mountain west, has given him expertise in reputation
threes, Swifts never land, and Peregrines see many disciplines. He has done research as an
nearsighted? Unusual stories of birds is his on beavers, hares and loons, and received innovative
specialty, and Prof. Guano is a bit eccentric an M.S. Degree (magna cum laude) performer and
himself (it takes one to know one). Enjoy from the University of Minnesota. educator.
some "bet-you-didn't-know" stories from From those scientific beginnings he forged
the sidelong view! an unlikely union between science, humor,
Saturday afternoon presentations
priority species for inventory and Lisa oversees wildlife and compliance
monitoring. They are an unusual, late-nesting, monitoring along the Going-to-the-Sun Road
Black Swift Monitoring in
Neotropical migrant, with young fledging in in Glacier while managing several research,
Northwest Montana
Lisa Bate, Glacier National Park
Non-game Biologist August or September. Black Swifts rely on inventory, and monitoring projects in the
Chris Hammond, Montana Fish,Wildlife and perennial streams, waterfalls, and insect prey park. She has a special emphasis on bats,
Parks Regional Nongame/Mitigation Biologist for survival, and are at risk of extirpation Harlequin Ducks, eagles, and Black Swifts.
due to climate change. In 2015, Canada
John Lambing
Since 2004, when listed Black Swifts as endangered due to Chris is responsible for research,
only three nesting significant population declines. Since 2012, management, and conservation of primarily
colonies were partnerships have coalesced around the non-game wildlife species with recent
known in search for this hard-to-detect bird, striving efforts focusing on Black Swifts, Common
Montana, for standardized surveys that can reveal the Loons, Great Gray Owls, and Harlequin
Black Swifts bird’s presence and distribution in Montana. Ducks and projects involving conservation
(Cypseloides With a refined protocol, training, and survey easements, acquisitions, habitat restoration,
niger) have methodology, 2017 was our most successful and wildlife viewing areas.
been a state survey season yet.
Four stories, each told in 10 minutes. Montana Audubon;
Questions will be welcome! a 2016 “Lifetime
Four Conservation Issues
Award for
Where Montana Audubon
Janet has coordinated Montana Audubon’s Conservation and
is Making a Difference
Join Montana Audubon’s Senior Director of legislative and grassroots efforts on behalf of Clean Energy
Public Policy, Janet Ellis, to learn about four Montana’s wildlife and wildlife habitat since Achievement” from
issues that Montana’s Audubon’s policy 1989. She works on a variety of issues and the National Wildlife
program is working on today. We won’t has received several awards for her work, Federation; and a
reveal the four topics now—but we can including “Conservationist of the Year” from “Special Achievement
tell you that they will be hot topics, relevant the Montana Environmental Information Award” from the Montana
to birds, Audubon, and Montana. Center, Montana Wildlife Federation, and Native Plant Society.
and helped introduce bills that now protect our new Executive
the birds and other wildlife we all cherish. Director as he shares
Looking Ahead
Larry Berrin, Executive Director
Our science program helped establish with you what
The mission of Montana Audubon is to Montana’s Important Bird Area (IBA) the future will
promote appreciation, knowledge and network, with 42 IBAs encompassing over look like for our
conservation of Montana’s native birds, 10 million acres of critical wetland, organization with
other wildlife, and natural ecosystems to sagebrush and grassland habitats across the the launch of our
safeguard biological diversity for current and state. We have also conducted important new three-year
future generations. For over 40 years, research and monitoring on bird species of strategic plan. Learn
science has underpinned, informed, and conservation concern like curlews and black about Montana Audubon’s
guided our policy and education work to swifts. At the Montana Audubon Center in innovative projects focused on
help us better serve our members. In the Billings, we are delivering innovative nature- expanding our reach state-wide by working
policy realm, we’ve defended important based programs that are connecting youth with new and existing partners to help
environmental laws in the state legislature to this amazing landscape we all cherish. Join achieve our mission.
3
field trips Restrooms
Available
All field trips this year have been All field trips are limited to 15 participants you leave with
designated “Family Friendly” (unless otherwise indicated) and will leave your group.
by the Flathead Chapter. Come with the Red Lion Hotel at various times. Be sure Also—bring Mostly
your water bottles and comfortable shoes to check your departure time and join your your gear— Driving
and participate in a diverse selection of breakfast table marked with your field trip comfortable
birding and conservation-themed trips. number the hour before your trip is walking shoes,
scheduled to depart so you can meet your water, raingear, camera, binoculars and any
Please review each description (pages 4–6) group and leader, and receive pertinent personal needs for your trip. All Saturday
and make your choices. Saturday trips are information and make plans for car-pooling. trips will return to the hotel by noon,
labeled “SA”; Sunday trips are “SU”. Please whereas some Sunday trips end a bit later in
note the first eight trips are labeled SA / SU Sack lunches are available as part of your the day or away from Kalispell. Check
since the trips are identical both days. registration, so be sure to pick those up as individual trip descriptions for more info.
SA-1 / SU-1 West Flathead Valley Ponds stands, and Common Loons and Bald Eagles SA-6 / SU-6 Flathead River
breed along the shores of Tally Lake. This trip will
Departure time 7:00 a.m., noon return. Explore focus on bird identification in the field by both
to Lake Birding
the West Flathead Valley focusing on a series of sight and by ear. Mostly driving with some Departure time 7:00 a.m., noon return.
wetlands recently protected through optional short walking (
SA-8 / SU-8 Glacier National Park that are all native to Montana, in addition to a Hooded Merganser, MacGillivray’s Warbler,
hawk native to the southwest. Each bird will be Common Yellowthroat, American Redstart,
presented individually with a brief description. Pacific Wren, and Dusky Flycatcher. Most of
East to West
Departure time 6:00 am, noon return (Sat), Time permitting, participants will be able to walk Montana’s warbler species are possible present
2:00 p.m. (Sun). {Two trips on both days from through the mews. Participants can stand or are here. A small colony of Tennessee Warblers
opposite starting points.} Glacier National Park welcome to bring a folding chair. The parking lot nested in the area during 2016. Total distance
is one of the jewels of the National Park system, is gravel and the presentation area is grass that of the trip is 3.5 to 4 miles, with a couple climbs
and the birding here can be rewarding. On the is fairly level. The walkways in the mews are pea of about 150 feet.
west side of GNP, we will explore everything gravel. Much of this field trip is a presentation
from lush riparian areas to dense ancient forest, and we recommend bringing a chair. Walking is
from meadows to rushing streams. Walking along on level, graveled ground. SA-15 Lawrence Park (Family)
the McDonald Creek oxbow we will search for
riparian birds, flycatchers, warblers, and river Departure time 8:00 a.m., noon return. Join us for
waterfowl. We will take several walks, up to a SA-12 Lost Trail NWR a few hours of easy birding while exploring one
mile in length. Upper McDonald Creek and the of Kalispell’s avian hotspots. Lawrence Park is a
Avalanche Creek area promise good chances at Departure time 6:00 a.m., noon return. Located surprisingly bird-rich area located at the north
Harlequins, Dippers, Pacific Wrens, and Varied in Pleasant Valley approximately 49 miles west of end of Main Street in Kalispell. Wood Duck,
and other thrushes. A mix of driving and walking. Kalispell, Lost Trail National Wildlife Refuge was Lazuli Bunting, Bullock’s Oriole and Black-headed
Walking will be on designated paved or dirt trails designated in 1999 as a sanctuary for migratory Grosbeak are all possible. We will focus on the
and be relatively short (
SA-17 Flathead Lake and Sandhill Crane which usually make this their SU-13 Ninepipe NWR and
summer residence along with other migrants
and year-round birds. Traveling a short distance
Biological Station & Boat Ride Pothole Lakes
Departure time 6:45 a.m., noon return. This trip down the Swan Valley, we will stop at the Point Departure time 7:00 a.m., 5:00 p.m. return. The
affords an incredible opportunity to learn about Pleasant Campground overlooking the wild Mission Valley is an hour’s drive from Kalispell,
one of the oldest active biological field research and scenic Swan River. The 2.1 mile Sprunger- but it is a trip well worth the time. We will visit
stations in the U.S. Students and researchers Whitney Nature Trail begins here. For those numerous prairie pothole lakes and Ninepipe
from around the world come to the Flathead who would like to stretch their legs before the National Wildlife Refuge to see hundreds of
Lake Biological Station (FLBS) to learn about ride home, this moderate, loop hike through breeding ducks, grebes, gulls, and cormorants,
ecology and limnology (freshwater ecology) old-growth forests and old clear cuts affords all set against the backdrop of the spectacular
from experts. For over 100 years their year- magnificent panoramas of the Mission Range as and snowy Mission Mountains. Birding here is
round novel research has helped people live in well as opportunities to discuss the biodiversity exceptional; we will witness great bird diversity,
a healthier, more sustainable environment as of the plants, birds, and wildlife of the area. The from Western Grebes to Prairie Falcons, from
well as helping policy makers make informed walk covers terrain used for hundreds of years Short-eared Owls to Wilson’s Snipe, and from
decisions. In addition to a tour of the facility, by the Pend d ‘Oreille and Salish peoples to fish Western Wood Pewees to Trumpeter Swans.
participants will be treated to a ride around and hunt. There is the opportunity to see elk,
Bird Island and Finely point in the FLBS research bear, or otters that make their home in this
boat (weather permitting) to view Bald Eagle magnificent wild valley. The hike is approximately SU-14 West Flathead Lake
and Osprey nests. Minimal walking. Dress for one hour in duration. Hiking/Walking: First part – and Brown’s Meadow
colder weather on the water. flat short walks for viewing; also viewed well from
car windows; Second part – 2/1 miles, hilly on Departure time 6:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m. return.
uneven ground for about half the walk. This trip will make a few stops on the west side
SU-9 Glacier’s Southeast of Flathead Lake, including Dayton, to look for
waterfowl, shorebirds, and osprey. We will then
SU-11 Common Loons and look for a variety of species in the Brown’s
Corner
Departure time 6:00 a.m., no return to Kalispell. Meadow area. We will pass through grasslands,
We will drive along the Middle Fork of the riparian, and forest habitats looking for kingbirds,
Loon Chicks
Flathead River, stopping at several locations to Departure time 8:00 a.m., noon return. flycatchers, vireos, and warblers. We can expect
look for birds and other wildlife. Species often Northwest Montana is home to more than 80 about 55-60 species on the field trip. This will
seen include Spruce Grouse, Pine Grosbeak, nesting pairs of Common Loons who begin be mostly driving with stops to get out and bird.
Timberline Sparrow, Boreal Chickadee, Olive- their sensitive nesting season by early May and
sided Flycatcher and other high-elevation birds hatch chicks by early June. This trip will take you
of the spruce/fir forest. Next, we will stop at the to several local lakes near Whitefish to see loon SU-15 Eureka and Tobacco Valley
Lubec Trailhead to bird the nearby riparian area. families, learn about common loon life history Departure time 6:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. return.
Species could include Fox, Lincoln’s, Song and and 30 years of successful cooperative An easy hike on a trail along the Tobacco River
White-crowned Sparrow, Veery, Northern management. We should also see ring-necked will pass through a variety of habitats, including
Waterthrush, Black-headed Grosbeak, and ducks, red-necked grebes, possibly hear bitterns, riparian areas with cottonwood trees, shrubs,
various ducks. We will stop at the trip leader’s and many other wetland species. Trip will entail and meadows. Nearby upland coniferous forests
house for lunch, where we can view bird some trail walking up/down short hills to edges add diversity. Species that may be seen include a
feeders and a beaver pond for more riparian of lakes, but distances less than 100 yards. variety of warblers, flycatchers, Gray Catbirds,
birds. Easily seen here are Cassin’s Finch, Pine Rubber footwear is recommended. orioles, Black-headed Grosbeaks, and nesting
Siskin, Red-Winged Blackbird, and Calliope and Bald Eagles. We will also visit at least one lake
Rufous Hummingbirds. Our last stop will be with a chance of seeing Common Loons and a
Middle Two-Medicine Lake where we will bird SU-12 National Bison Range – variety of grebe species. This will be primarily
the campground and take the South Shore Trail easy hiking on an abandoned railroad bed
to Paradise Point. Species regularly observed
Bison, Birds & Blooms
converted to a trail, with little elevation gain and
here are White-crowned, Lincoln’s, and Fox Departure time 6:00 a.m., 5:00 p.m. return. a distance of about two miles. The hiking surface
Sparrows, Wilson’s, McGillivray’s and Townsend’s Birding at the National Bison Range is, simply is a combination of gravel, railroad ballast rock,
Warbler, Varied and Swainson’s Thrush, and put, wonderful. With a great diversity of habitat, soil and grass. Driving will mostly be between
Three-toed Woodpecker. Boreal Chickadee can we will have the opportunity to see a wide birding stops and restroom facilities.
sometimes occur. If we have time and decide to range of bird life – Clay-colored and
extend the trip, we can bird the prairie potholes Grasshopper Sparrows in native prairie; Lazuli
to the east during the afternoon. Mostly driving Buntings and Bullock’s Orioles in shrubby SU-16 Biking and Birding
with some short (
POINTS OF INTEREST
Glacier National Park (naturally!)
35 miles NE of Kalispell Historical Kalispell tour is wonderful
“Crits & Croissants: A Saturday Montana Trolley
Hockaday Art Museum, (usually $10/person) for a group
Morning Artists’ Critique”
downtown Kalispell of 15 or more
(IBA) One mile East of Kalispell
Owen Sowerwine Natural Area
interactive wildlife exhibits, breathtaking FVCC parking lot, Saturday morning
Lone Pine Visitor Center Farmer’s Market
2 miles West of Kalispell views – 5 miles southwest of Kalispell
West Valley Ponds
Hwy 2 outside of Glacier Park –
House of Mystery
east side of Kalispell – original corner of Highways 2 and 93 – fun for kids, too.
Conrad Mansion Moose’s Saloon
mansion of Kalispell founder. a true Flathead experience!
Auction Items Needed
Silent Auction items are needed for Montana
NATURE ADVENTURE TOURS Audubon’s Bird Festival. This year we request
people to PLEASE only donate NEW items
for the auction. Artwork, pottery, bird feeders,
birdhouses, and homemade cookies are
A new bird festival tradition!
encouraged. This auction will benefit our
public policy program.
Donations can be delivered to a Montana
Audubon office—or brought with you to the
Bird Festival. If you have further questions
contact Janet Ellis: jellis@mtaudubon.org.
Thanks for your generous
Write in a bid for a unique experience contributions!
in a remarkable natural location!
This will be the second year we’ve offered
outings from a host of experienced
birders, naturalists and guides to festival Montana Audubon
attendees. Weekend cabin getaways; Sustainability Fund
Your registration form includes a donation
“insider” bird tours of lesser-known
check box to help us build a restricted fund
hotspots; float trips; wildlife photographer
that Montana Audubon specifically uses for
excursions and more!
energy conservation, carbon neutrality and
related sustainability projects. Help our
John Lambing
All proceeds from the sale of
Bob Martinka
Northern Hawk Owl organization move toward a low-carbon
Nature Adventure Tours will support
(juvenile) future by contributing toward the
Montana Audubon.
Sustainability Fund!
7
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PA ID
Permit #144
Helena MT
PO Box 595
Helena, MT 59624
19th ANNUAL
MONTANA AUDUBON
BIRD FESTIVAL
June 8–10, 2018
Red Lion Hotel
Kalispell Montana
Sandhill Crane
and colt
CAKES FOR
CONSERVATION! Bo
b M
ar
tin
ka
One of the most enjoyable events
at the annual festival is our dessert
auction tradition: creative cakes
and other delicious desserts are
auctioned off to raise funds for
bird conservation projects.
Proceeds are evenly split between
Montana Audubon and the festival
host chapter.
Flathead Audubon’s portion of the
dessert auction funds will support
two vital projects: the Jewel Basin
Hawk Watch, and the West Valley
Wetlands project where viewing
area improvements will be
installed.
Montana Audubon’s portion will be
devoted to the Black Swift survey
& monitoring project in and
around Glacier National Park.
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